When Anshu Mittal, a Powai resident, heard that supermarkets were going charge for plastic bags, she went and bought two large cloth bags.

When Anshu Mittal, a Powai resident, heard that supermarkets were going charge for plastic bags, she went and bought two large cloth bags.

Now, Mittal walks into malls, markets, and even chemists, with her own bags. “Buying several plastic bags when shopping can get expensive. This is convenient and environment-friendly.”

The civic body, in December last year, made it mandatory for shops to charge for plastic bags. “There has been a 50% decrease in the use of plastic bags since the rule was implemented last year,” said R Nandanwar, chief inspector, shops and establishments department, BMC.

After the directive, many have started making arrangements to avoid buying bags. At Big Bazaar, store managers claim that 20% of their customers bring their own bags. “Many bring jute or cloth bags. Sometimes, they carry old plastic bags from our shop,” said Vinod Sawant from Big Bazaar, Lower Parel. “We also sell a reusable jute bag for Rs 30.”